From Department of Health
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Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD, has announced a further extension of the outbreak assistance payment for private and voluntary nursing homes.
Minister Butler said:
"The payment which is available to nursing homes experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak was secured until the end of this year. I am pleased to extend it further to the end of March 2022, recognising the ongoing risks presented by COVID-19."
Minister Butler continued:
"As the pandemic has continued, many further support measures for private and voluntary nursing homes have been made available through the State. These include:
Many of these will continue to be provided for the foreseeable future. Importantly, serial testing has been reintroduced to all nursing homes for two cycles and commenced on 6 December. The second cycle will begin in early January.
Minister Butler concluded:
"The State has continued to prioritise nursing home residents and staff in its response to COVID-19, including through the successful and early roll-out of the vaccine programme across the sector. This prioritisation is ongoing with the booster programme almost complete among those living in nursing homes."